After VxRail Manager backup files are created, they are located on the vSAN Datastore. This ensures that the backup files are stored within the same resilient storage infrastructure as the other critical data, providing redundancy and high availability.

To prepare the system for maintenance mode and avoid unnecessary vSAN re-synchronization, follow these steps:

Log in to vSphere Client:

Open the vSphere Client.

Enter the username: administrator@vsphere.local.

Enter the password: VMw@r3!123.

Click Login.

Navigate to the Host:

In the vSphere Client interface, navigate to Hosts and Clusters.

Expand the VxRail-DC and then the VxRail-Cluster.

Select the Host for Maintenance:

Select the host you plan to put into maintenance mode (e.g., vcluster730-esx01.edu.local, vcluster730-esx02.edu.local, etc.).

Enter Maintenance Mode:

Right-click on the selected host and select Enter Maintenance Mode.

In the Enter Maintenance Mode window, you will have several options for vSAN data migration. To avoid unnecessary re-synchronization, choose Ensure Accessibility.

Ensure Accessibility: This option makes sure that the data remains accessible during maintenance but does not immediately trigger full data migration. It is the best choice to avoid unnecessary re-synchronization during a short maintenance window.

Confirm Maintenance Mode:

Click OK to confirm the selection and put the host into maintenance mode.

Verify the Host Status:

Monitor the status to ensure the host enters maintenance mode without triggering excessive re-synchronization.

To upgrade a VxRail cluster to the latest recommended version at a dark site (an environment without internet access), follow these steps:

Log in to VxRail Manager:

Open a web browser and navigate to the VxRail Manager URL.

Log in using the credentials:

Username: root

Password: VMw@r3!123.

Check Current Version and Compatibility:

Once logged in, navigate to the Dashboard to view the current version of VxRail.

Verify compatibility with the target upgrade version by reviewing the VxRail Release Notes or Upgrade Guide for your specific version.

Download Upgrade Bundle:

Since the site is dark, download the necessary upgrade bundle from Dell EMC’s support site using another system with internet access.

Save the upgrade bundle to a portable storage device (USB drive, external HDD, etc.).

Upload the Upgrade Bundle to VxRail Manager:

Connect the portable storage device to a local machine within the dark site.

In VxRail Manager, navigate to the Internet Upgrade section.

Select Local Upgrade and browse to the location of the upgrade bundle on your local machine.

Upload the upgrade bundle.

Perform the Upgrade:

After the bundle is uploaded, follow the on-screen prompts to begin the upgrade process.

The upgrade wizard will guide you through pre-upgrade checks, including verifying compatibility and ensuring cluster health.

Monitor the Upgrade Progress:

The upgrade process will take some time. Monitor the progress via the VxRail Manager interface.

Ensure there are no errors or issues reported during the upgrade.

Post-Upgrade Verification:

Once the upgrade is complete, verify that the VxRail Manager and vCenter report the new version correctly.

Check the health and status of the cluster to ensure all components are operational.

Steps using the Simulator:

Login to VxRail Manager:

Open the simulator and navigate to the VxRail Manager interface.

Use the provided credentials to log in:

Username: root

Password: VMw@r3!123.

Navigate to Upgrade Section:

In the VxRail Manager interface, click on Internet Upgrade or Software Upgrade.

Upload the Upgrade Bundle:

Select Local Upgrade.

Click Browse and select the upgrade bundle from your local machine.

Click Upload to start the upload process.

Initiate the Upgrade:

Once the upload is complete, follow the prompts to start the upgrade.

Confirm the pre-upgrade checks and proceed.

Monitor Upgrade Process:

Monitor the upgrade status in the VxRail Manager interface.

Wait for the upgrade to complete and ensure there are no issues.

Verify Upgrade Completion:

After the upgrade, verify the new version in the VxRail Manager dashboard.

Check the health status of the cluster to ensure everything is running smoothly.